Read Luke 1:26-38
Luke 1:38 - And Mary said, ‘Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.’ And the angel departed from her.
Mary was probably about seventeen or eighteen years old when she received a visit from the Angel Gabriel. This was about six months after Gabriel had visited Zechariah, as we read in our last lesson.
Mary was engaged to be married to Joseph. Both she and Joseph came from the royal family of David, so the marriage may have been arranged for them many years before. However, both had to give their assent to the marriage before the engagement contract could be legal. Normally, there would be a year between the engagement and the marriage itself, but the engagement was so binding that a divorce was required to break it, and usually the only reason for such a divorce would be evidence of impurity, such as a child being born.
Mary knew all these things, and yet, when Gabriel told her God’s plan for her to have a baby before the wedding, it was her decision if she wanted to face all the awful things people would think and say about her. Please note she also asked Gabriel how this could be, just as Zechariah had asked. But her question was from innocence rather than doubt – God knew what was in her heart. Gabriel’s answer that this child would be from God was met with Mary’s faith. Her answer, in the verse above, came from trusting God.
*When God asks something of you that might mean you lose favor with others around you, what is your answer?
Prayer: O Lord, thank you for answering the questions of a young woman with gentleness and understanding. Please help me to answer the questions of others in the same way. And help me, O Lord to show the willingness of Mary to do everything You ask of me...May Your Word be fulfilled in me. In Jesus' name, Amen
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